Serena Williams has spoken out on the sexism and racism she’s faced as a tennis professional — suggesting she would have been considered among the sport’s greatest ever players years ago if she was a man. The American 22-time Grand Slam champion made the startling claim in a candid, wide-ranging interview with award-winning rapper Common — whom she formerly dated — for ESPN series The Undefeated.
Compton native Williams spoke about the challenges of being a black woman in predominantly white sport, while also juggling the pressure and expectation that came with being the dominant force in the sport. “It’s very challenging because sometimes when things are blatantly wrong and blatantly unfair and blatantly racist or sexist, I just have to go and put on a brave smile and not let anyone know how I feel on the inside so they don’t get that satisfaction even though on the inside I would be dying,” Williams told Common.
